Uber Hit With Big Fines in France, Execs Face Criminal Charges

Ridesharing company continues to operate in the country

The battles never seem to end for Uber's legal team. This time around, the ridesharing service faces big fines and multiple charges in France, where Uber has faced hard-fought battles against the government and traditional taxi drivers who accuse the company of illegal practices.

The biggest fine rings up at about $500,000, which a French judge says is due to the company's UberPop service. UberPop is a low-cost option for riders looking for basic transportation, usually in no-frills economy cars. The total fine was closer to $900,000, but the court suspended half of it, meaning Uber would only pay the other half if it violates the law again.

UberPop drivers, the court ruled, skirted France's taxi licensing and insurance requirements, which usually costs taxi companies thousands of dollars to acquire. Taxi companies in Paris, for example, must pay a one-time fee of $300,000 to obtain a license, The New York Times reports. UberPop launched in Paris in early 2014, but the company cancelled the service last summer following backlash from taxi drivers.

In addition to the large fine, a French judge hit two Uber executives each with a $28,500 fine. Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty leads Uber's operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, while Thibaud Simphal is the company's General Manager in France. Both were charged with running deceptive commercial practices and being complicit in operating an illegal transportation service.

According to The New York Times, the penalties could've been much worse. The aforementioned executives could've faced jail time and a fine of $340,000 each. Additionally, Uber's fine could've topped $1.7 million.

The company says it will appeal the ruling. Despite the setback, Uber continues to operate in France, though, with pricier options like uberX, UberVAN, and UberBERLINE. That's not the case in Austin, Texas, where tough ridesharing laws recently forced the company to suspend all operations in the city.